There are a number of industries and businesses being established in Namibia by investors. I found it necessary to look at and write something about these industries and businesses because without them, it will be difficult if not impossible for Namibia to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.
After having considered these industries, I have decided to limit my comments on one only – and I decided on Ohorongo Cement (Pty) Ltd.
The reasons being:
(a) This can be continuation of my earlier comments on cement production in Namibia.
(b) Ohorongo Cement spent billions of dollars to establish their plant and this plant became a reality and so far the only one in Namibia.
(c) Its existence is being threatened by uncontrolled importation of cement into the country.
It is really disappointing to note that after we welcomed the building of the cement plant in Namibia by Ohorongo Cement, we are not giving it the protection it needs in order to establish itself and recover all the billions that were invested in that venture.
The company did not only limit its investments to building the cement plant but entered into equally important ventures in the country. Here I would like to mention some of these ventures that are important to Namibia and its people.
Ohorongo Cement in order to contribute to the development of the town of Otavi, joined forces with Otavi Town Council and business community to establish Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust (OOCT).
This was done with the aim of contributing to the development of Otavi and improve the standards of living of the people of the town.
In this regard, the OOCT identified three main areas which has potential to improve the living standards of the population of Otavi.
These are:
(1) Support to medical professionals serving the Otavi community.
(2) Support to those who play a role in educating the youth of Otavi.
(3) Support for initiatives which upgrade Otavi infrastructure and amenities.
In this regard, the OOCT supports disabled people as well as training of medical personnel and providing medical equipment. It also supports Otavi Town Council to develop Otavi’s infrastructure.
The cement plant itself is the most modern one in Africa with new equipment, and the latest technology, meeting all standards in terms of emission, electricity and technical requirements, 30% reduction of electrical consumption, saving water consumption, etc.
Ohorongo Cement adds value to the raw material to the finished product within Namibia and gives preference to Namibian service providers and suppliers.
The disadvantages of importation of cement can be, among others, providing temporary cheaper prices, limited value addition to products (if any), limited job creation, outflow of currency etc.
On the other hand, production in Namibia can provide consistent sale prices, entire added value creation in the country, direct and indirect job creation, strengthening balance of payment, transfer of knowledge to Namibians through constant job creation and education, etc.
It is said that currently 264 people are employed at the plant but this number is expected to rise to 300. The company is also involving itself in other activities in addition to cement production such as debushing, outsourcing certain services, making protective clothing, etc. These extra activities also lead to more employment creation and it is said that more than 2 000 people may be employed.
It is also necessary to mention here that the company is training its employees both in Namibia and abroad.
Quite a number of employees were trained in Germany, both at its cement plant and other German cement plants.
These and other activities of Ohorongo Cement are commendable – therefore it is just proper to protect its activities so as not to jeopardize its production in the country. We should not allow the situation that killed the Cheetah Cement initiative to repeat itself.
While I am not against any locally produced cement competing with the cement produced by Ohorongo Cement, it is not in order to allow imported cement to destroy our own cement production. Importation of cement from China such as Conch Cement, must not be permitted. The Ministry of Trade and Industry must stop the importation of such cement.
I am aware and fully understand that China is one of the countries that helped us a lot to liberate Namibia and it is our best friend. However, our best Chinese friends must understand that we, in Namibia, are desperately trying to build our industries and cannot afford to invite investors to invest billions of dollars in our country and at the same time allow such investors to close down their businesses just because we do not protect them against bad practices.
After all, according to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, China is refusing or is unwilling to buy products from Namibia and why should their cement be imported in Namibia just to kill our infant industries.
Even if we buy products from abroad, no matter from which country, it must be products that will not kill our infant industries and initiatives.
If this practice of importing cement from Conch Cement in China, or cements from any other country for that matter, is not prohibited, I am afraid that Ohorongo Cement will close down and many jobs will be lost and all other developments that Ohorongo is trying to bring to this country will be stopped. The country and its people will be the losers.
We can never succeed in fulfilling the objectives of Vision 2030 if we allow our infant industries to be closed down because of our inability to protect them.
I have confidence in our Government and the Minister of Trade and Industry and I am sure he is capable of taking appropriate measures to protect our infant industries. The sooner that is done, the better for our infant industries.
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